Indicating instrument for automobile radiator caps and the like



Aprilv 24, 1923.` 1,667,026

H. H. BOYCE INDICATING INSTRUMENT FOR AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR CAPS AND THE LIKE Original Filed Oct. 31, 1917 rlill. vllll A TORNEYS Patented Apr. 24, 1928. A l.

UNITED STATES vmi'llsNT oF 1,667,026 FICE.

HARRISON H. BOYCE, F JERICHO, NEW YORK.

. Original application led October 31, 1917, Serial No. 199,413; Div'ided'and this application tiled-January Y 19, 1922'. serial No. $30,274.

This invention relates to the construction of indicating instruments adapted to be mounted on the radiators or radiator caps of automobiles or any other locations where similar conditions might exist.

' This application is a division of my application Serial N o. 199,413, filed O ctober 31, 1917.

In my Patent No. 1,275,654, dated August l0A 13, 1918, I have disclosedy an instrument for indicating engine temperature adapted to be mounted on the radiator cap of an automobile and so constructed as to be readable from the drivers seat. One feature of such an instrument which is claimed particularly in the aforesaid patent, relates to the construction of an instrument with a window or opening across which a liquid indicating column or other indicating member is ada ted.

to pass so as to throw into relief the in ications ofthe instrument and to render it more easily readable particularly at night. i With this construction, however, I find that in some lcases where side lights or spot lights are used which illuminate the face of the instrument, the indicating element of the latter is less clea'rly visible when in front of the window; and also that when there is no direct illumination of the face of the instru'- ment, the indicating element is not alwa s as clearly silhouetted against the headight beams as is desirable. The present invention relates particularly to a construction for facilitating the readingr at night of an instrument when lighted by a direct. illumination thrown on its face as well as when lighted from the other side. Generally stated, the invention hereinafter claimed is characterized by the provision, .in an instrument of the kind mentioned, of a crystal having a grooved or prismatic area registering with the window of the instrument, and serving not only as a background when the face of the instrument is illuminated but also as a means for improving the silhouetting of the indicating column or other indicating member against the head-light beams, when there isA no direct illumination of the face of the instrument. l r

In the accompanying drawings, in which I have shown a specific form of the invention as illustrative of the principle thereof and of the best mode known to me forv practicing the invention, Figure 1 is a face View ltime permitting, the silhouettin of the instrument; Figure 2 is a vertical sec-v tional view of the instrument; and Figure 3 is a 'face view of the crystal which may be employed in carrying out the invention.

Referring to the drawing, Fi ure lvshows in elevation an instrument whic is adapted to be mounted in a prominent place infront ofthe driver of a vehicle, ordinarily .on the cap 2 which makes threaded engagement with the top of the stem 3 of aradiator. The instrument comprises a frame 9 having a base 10 adapted to be clamped on the radiator cap 2, the indicatingelement of the instrument comprising a glass tube thermometer 1-2 extending across'the frame 9. At the side of the glass tube away from the drivers seat, is a dial plate 13, the glass tube and dial plate being, in the construction illustrated, enclosed between glass crystals- 14 land 14. In the dial plate, is an opening or window 15, across which the thermometer tube passes. The side of the thermometer tubeadjaeent the dial plate may be lwhitened in a manner usual in thermometer construc-` tion, so as to throw the indicating. column into relief, but this whitenin preferably terminates at the lower 'edge o the window 15, so as not to interfere with the 'transgarency of the tube where it crosses the win- The present invention relates to means for enhancing the visibility of the indicating column at night, and comprises means :for catching light rays from whatever source they ma come and' forming a transparent or trans ucent background particularly for that portion of the column which passes across the window 15;and one form of. this means will now be described. As illustrated. in the drawing, the crystal .14 back of the window 15 is provided with-a grooved area 19, producing practically .a series of prisms which :form a background while at the same of the indicating column against the hea -light beam when there is no direct illumination of thel face Aof the instrument. Thisl prismatic portion, registering with the window 15and therefore, intend to cover the ,invention broadly in whatever form -its principle may be employed.

What I claim is;

1. In an instrument of the character described, a frame, an indicating dial mounted therein having a Window, indicating means arranged for movement across said dial and Window, and a crystal having a prismatic portion registering with said window and mounted in said frame on that side of said dial and indicating means which is away :trom the side from which said indicating means is intended to be observed.

2. In an instrument ot' the character de scribed, a frame, a dial mounted therein having ,a Window, indicating means arranged for movement across said Window, a crystal mounted in said frame on the side o't the dial lfrom Which the indicating means is intended t'o be observed, and another crystal having a prismatic portion registering with said window and mounted in said frame on that side of said indicating means and dial which is away from the side from which said indicating means is intended to be observed.

3. In 'an instrument of the character described, an indicating element and a crystal forming a background therefor and situated at a shortdistance behind -the element and provided With a grooved portion of greater Width than the element.

4. In an instrument of the character described, an indicating element and a. background spaced a short distance therefrom consisting of a crystal having a series 'ot' risms which form a background traversed y the indicating element, said instrument being constructed and arranged to permit light from' said background and element to reach the eye substantially without obstrucl the other side of said frame provided with a series of prisms, and temperature indicating means embodying a transparent tube arranged between said crystals, said' instrument being constructed and arranged to permit light from said background and element to reach 'the eye substantially without obstruction. f

6. In an .instrument of lthe character described, a frame, a crystal mounted in the side of said frame from which said instrument is intended to be observed, another crystal in the ether side of said frame provided on its inside with a series of prisms, and temperature indicating means embodying a transparent tube arranged between said crystals, said instrument being constructed and arranged to vpermit light from said background and element to reach the eye substantially without obstruction.

7. In an instrument of the character described, a frame, a crystal having continuous inner and outer plane surfaces mounted in the side of said frame from which said instrument is extended to be observed, another crystal provided on its inside with a series of prisms andfmounted in the other side of said frame, and temperature indicating means embodying a'transparent tube arranged between said crystals.

In testimony whereof I have aiiixed my signature to this specification. p

HARRISON H. ROYCE. 

